In one week, Betty Cantrell, Miss America 2016, will crown one of 52 hopefuls the next Miss America. The women represent each state, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. The national broadcast of the 96th Miss America Competition will air live on ABC, Sunday, September 11, 2016 from 9:00 to 11:00 PM EST.

The 2017 Miss America contestants made their debut last week on Atlantic City's boardwalk. That arrival ceremony kicked off two weeks of events and festivities leading up to the finale. Finalists for the 2017 Jean Bartel Quality of Life Awards, 2017 STEM Scholarships, and 2017 Women in Business Scholarships, were announced at the ceremony.

Starting Monday, September 5, preliminary judges will score the contestants as they compete in lifestyle and fitness in swimsuit, evening wear, talent, interview, and on-stage questions. Those judges are David Zinczenko, Deanna Siller, Debbie Bryant Berge, Jennifer Caudle, Katherine Bailess, Nicole Lapin and Rob Bowman. They will select the top 15 contestants that will compete for the 2017 Miss America title on the 11th.